You spend a good chunk of money on detergents, laundry fresheners, stain removers, and whatnot.
Do you really need to add a drying aid to your shopping list? And if so, could this aid be a set of dryer balls?
In this post, we’ll go over the benefits of dryer balls and see if they live up to the hype. We’ll also check out three approaches to using the drying aid and the needed maintenance.
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Benefits of Wool Dryer Balls?
Before looking at how effective wool balls are, let’s first see what the manufacturers claim the products can do for you.
Here are the most common claims you’ll find on a package of dryer balls:
- Reduces drying time
- Reduces static cling
- Reduces the use of harsh chemicals
- Softens your fabrics
- Boosts the fresh scent
- Gets rid of pet hair
- Reduces wrinkles
So, they’re mostly an alternative to dryer sheets. However, wool dryer balls do have an edge over the conventional sheets.
Wool Dryer Balls vs. Traditional Dryer Sheets
Wool balls reduce waste (because they’re not single-use products), making them ideal for a sustainable laundry routine.
Plus, they could be a smart choice for people with sensitive skin. Some dryer sheets contain compounds that could irritate the skin and build up on athletic wear, reducing the breathability and absorbance.
Do Dryer Balls Actually Work?
Do the wool balls live up to the claims? Well, the opinions are split.
On the one hand, some people report having excellent results. That could be because the balls agitate the clothes around the dryer drum and improve air circulation, which can help dry the fabrics faster.
Since the dryer balls separate clothes and prevent excessive friction/clumping, it’s reasonable to assume they’d reduce wrinkles and static.
In fact, some folks no longer need liquid fabric softeners simply because the wool balls do the job just fine on their own.
However, not everyone is a fan of this laundry product.
Some people think the extra agitation can lead to over-drying. That could actually increase static. Others believe it’s just a gimmick.
With that being said, we’ll be assuming you’re in the first group (or at least curious enough to try dryer balls) from now on. Sounds good? Let’s check out how to make the most of this reusable product!
How to Use Wool Dryer Balls
If you want to give the dryer balls a shot, we recommend starting with natural wool dryer balls and checking out the following guide:
The Traditional Way
Using dryer balls is pretty simple.
All you need to do is disperse a few balls between the wet clothes in your dryer. After that, you can set the dryer to the usual heat level. The timer, however, needs to be adjusted.
Manufacturers might claim that wool dryer balls have a faster drying time of 25% or even 30%. But it’s hard to say for sure how effective the dryer balls will be. So, we’d recommend starting with a 30-minute timer and going up from there if your items are still damp.
Remember that over-drying will only worsen the static electricity problems.
And if you’re particularly concerned about static cling, you could fill a spray bottle with warm water. Spraying water on the wool balls could provide enough humidity to keep the fabric layers from over-drying.
When you’re done, pop the balls into a drawstring bag (it usually comes with the set) and put it next to your dryer. Lots of newbies lose their first set because they skipped that last step!
With Essential Oils
To customize the balls with your favorite scents, add a few drops of essential oils to the wool. Staining isn’t a huge issue here since pure volatile oils evaporate without leaving a grease spot on fabrics.
Just refer to the label on the packaging to make sure it’s okay to use essential oils on this specific set of dryer balls. Not all sets are made to handle oils safely in a hot/warm dryer.
And if you really like the idea of scented dryer balls, you can get a ball with a deposit core that you can “load” the oils into using a small dropper. Some manufacturers sell sets with one colored ball to help you spot the ball with the special core quickly.
After Line-Drying
There’s a slightly less conventional approach that incorporates line-drying.
Rather than toss the wet clothes into the dryer with a few wool balls, you could hang the clothes to semi-dry first. Then, you’ll move the load of laundry to the dryer, add the balls, and set the cycle on low heat.
This way, you save energy and dry your clothes relatively quickly, all while reaping the rewards of traditional line-drying (preserving fabric, reducing the noise, and minimizing wrinkles).
We know taking a hamper full of wet clothes outside, hanging the items, and then carrying them back to your dryer sounds like a hassle. However, you don’t have to go outside to try this approach.
If you’ve got a foldable rack, you could air dry indoors in a room with adequate air circulation.
How Many Dryer Balls to Use Per Load?
Take a look at the most popular sets of dryer balls on the market. You’ll likely notice that some have only three balls, while others come in larger packs. So, how many do you actually need?
Well, the number of balls per load of laundry depends on the load size.
For a medium load, 3–4 balls are usually enough. Large and extra-large loads, however, need around 5–6 balls.
That said, we have to warn you against overloading your dryer drum. The wool balls might not be able to counteract the amount of friction created.
Can Wool Dryer Balls Be Washed?
Yes! Many reusable dryer balls are made to handle hundreds upon hundreds of loads of laundry. However, at some point, you’ll want to “freshen” the wool up.
How often should you do it? Ideally, you’ll give the dryer balls a good wash every hundred uses.
Now, the average American does around 300 laundry loads per year. If that applies to your household, you could wash the dryer balls every 4 months or so.
Here’s what you’ll need to do to freshen up the wool balls:
Remove the Debris
Over time, hair and lint build up on the wool balls. So, it’s good to start the process with a lint roller.
Wash the Dryer Balls
There are a few routes to take here:
- Hand wash the balls with water and soap.
- Toss the balls into the washing machine and run a gentle cycle with warm water.
- Place each dryer ball in a thin sock, tie it, and go for a regular wash cycle.
Usually, we like to wash our wool dryer balls in the sink with soapy hot water to keep them lasting longer. It’s all up to your preference, though.
Dry the Wool Balls
Now, it’s time to dry the drying balls. Yes, it sounds weird, but you need to do it.
The most hassle-free option is to leave them on a counter to air dry. But, you can always use the dryer if you want to speed things up.
Know When to Let Go
Just because you can wash dryer balls more than once doesn’t mean you can do it forever.
Sooner or later, the wool fibers will get too worn out for salvaging. You’ll know that this is the case when the outer layer starts fraying and breaking apart.
Excessive shedding can also indicate that it’s time to throw the wool balls and get a new set.
Even then, the balls can be more sustainable and cost-efficient than most single-use dryer sheet products. That’s assuming you like the results you get from the ball set and don’t think they’re a gimmick, of course!
Final Thoughts
Some people throw a couple of new tennis balls into the washing machine and call it a day. You could do that to test the concept of dryer balls, but you have to brace yourself for an annoying clomping and a potential neon dye bleed.
We suggest just picking up a set of organic wool balls made specifically for drying laundry and give it a go if we were you.
Who knows? Maybe dryer balls will be the new sustainable alternative to dryer sheets in your household. Plus, they might save you some money in the long run by reducing your need for single-use products.
